WACO - Waco continues to show gains in home prices, reflecting a strong housing market. Home prices increased 6.4 percent in January 2013 from January 2012, according to CoreLogic. Prices increased 3.3 percent when the sale of distress properties is included.

A report released by Amarillo-based economist Karr Ingham showed the average sales price for a home in Waco jumped to $147,337 in January from $125,528 a year ago, an increase of 17 percent.

A total of 1,935 residential homes were sold in McLennan County in 2012, a 13.9 percent increase from the 1,695 sold the previous year, according to Gary Russell with Russell Realty Group.

The City of Waco issued 54 permits in February 2013 to build single-family homes, up from 49 in February 2012, according to Cathy Groppe with the city’s inspection department.